Leeds United transfer news and headlines recap: Whites move on summer business with Junior Firpo, Matheus Cunha and Nahitan Nandez latest

Kalvin Phillips has been feeling the love from his Leeds United team-mates ahead of England’s huge Euro 2020 game against Germany.

Phillips has not had contact from head coach Marcelo Bielsa, but has heard from the Argentine’s staff.

“He’s not been in touch personally,” said the midfielder.

“I’ve had messages from different coaches at the club. Marcelo’s the type of manager who likes to keep things non-contact, just when he sees you he speaks to you then.”

Along with a deluge of messages from Leeds fans and supporters of other clubs, he’s had some encouragement from the Elland Road dressing room before the biggest game of his career to date.

“I always get support from the lads,” he said.

“They’re very caring and loving when it comes to things like that and I’ve had lots of messages from various different team-mates. It’s always nice.”

Versatile Barcelona left-back Junior Firpo is one of the players on Victor Orta’s shortlist for Leeds United’s summer transfer business.

The 24-year-old is a strong candidate for the left-back vacancy, although Leeds are facing opposition from European clubs including Napoli, who qualified for the Europa League last season, and a number of Champions League outfits.

His attacking ability is one of the main reasons Leeds feel he would suit Marcelo Bielsa’s style of football. In his 62 top flight appearances in Spain Firpo has scored seven times and made nine assists.

Brazilian attacker Matheus Cunha, who like Rodrigo De Paul has indulged in some social media flirtation with Leeds fans, is currently classed as unlikely when it comes to Leeds’ summer additions the YEP understands, although as the case of Raphinha proved last summer, situations can change quickly in the window.

The Hertha BSC man is someone Orta has liked for a while. He began the 2020/21 Bundesliga season in incredible form, scoring six goals and making three in his first 10 games, but thereafter scored just one more all season as his side finished 14th in the 18-team German top flight.

Cunha, 22, is another versatile player who can play up front, behind a striker or on either flank, and another player linked with clubs who will feature in Europe next season. He is due to feature in the Olympics for Brazil and therefore would miss the vast majority of pre-season, with the gold medal match not scheduled until August 7.

The YEP understands that Nahitan Nandez is not on Orta’s shortlist, despite being persistently linked to the club this summer.

From chief writer Graham Smyth...

“Leeds are currently moving closer to the signing of a midfielder but do also want to add to their wing options before the transfer window closes. The Whites are also close to signing one of their Under 23s targets.”